Filipino tourists were advised to remain vigilant about their belongings after the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, Japan, issued a warning regarding passport losses in the area.
The consulate noted an increase in the number of Filipino tourists who have recently lost their important travel documents in Osaka and nearby areas.
“Visitors are reminded to take extra care of their passports and personal belongings at all times,” it said in a statement on Wednesday, January 14.
“Many passports are lost after being left on counters, forgotten at cashiers, or placed loosely in bags. Visitors should always check that their passport is back in their possession before leaving any cashier or establishment,” the consulate added.
“Bags, wallets, and documents should not be left unattended. Extra care is needed especially in busy areas,” it further said.
The consulate also warned that losing a passport is “costly and stressful,” adding that it “can result in missed flights and force travelers to rebook at their own expense.”
“Applying for a travel document is also time-consuming and requires the payment of prescribed government fees. A few seconds of securing your passport can prevent serious inconvenience and expense. Protect your passport. Protect your trip,” it said.
The post was shared on a Reddit community, where some Filipinos also urged fellow tourists to be more vigilant with their belongings.
“This is why if you can, put an AirTag or any Apple [or] Google compatible tracker [in] your Passport, not just on luggage. This saved me multiple times on my travels. Just ensure to also get a passport case that can house both passport and tracker,” a Redditor said.
“Ayun lang. Ingatan palagi na lang [belongings], better na magdala ng strap bag tapos nasa harap most of the time para ligtas,” another wrote.
“Happened to my sister sa Uniqlo sa may Dotonbori, naiwan niya sa shopping basket. Dahil dun, ‘di ako nakapag-shopping sa Supreme, lol. We were gearing up to go to a koban (at that point, ‘di pa namin alam na nasa Uniqlo lang pala.) Buti na lang nasa counter pa lang when we got back,” a different user said.
Japan is one of the most popular destinations for Filipino tourists, who visit to experience its cuisine, go sightseeing, and shop at outlets, among other activities.
Meanwhile, a passport is a travel document issued by a government to its citizens that verifies the holder’s identity and nationality for the purpose of international travel.
